Vass returns and looks at whether or not this is really our only chance at the Premier League title.
Is this our only chance?
Firstly let me start by saying that the season so far has been terrific as a Spurs fan. Like an old classic car that chugged into life at the start of the season with three points from four games, the footballing engine has been purring ever since.
We have hit some bumps along the way, our main striker taking a little longer to get going than we would have liked and a few avoidable defeats, but we cannot argue or complain with what this team and our manager have delivered to us so far. Our sights have moved on from mere Champions League qualification to actually conquering the Premier League.
Of course there is still a way to go on this journey, with twists and turns ahead that will test all of us, but one thing we can safely agree on is that whatever happens come the end, pride has been restored to us as supporters of this football club.
There is a school of thought that “we needed to capitalise” on this opportunity as it may not come around. It has been easy to write this season off as an aberration, an argument with some merit when you see who sits on top of the league currently, but who is to say that we are not witnessing a long lasting change in the demographic of the Premier League?
[linequote]Our sights have moved on from mere Champions League qualification to actually conquering the Premier League[/linequote]
Some are arguing that next season with Pep at City, Chelsea likely to spend, Man Utd probably under the control of Mourinho; that order will be restored and we can all go back to the comfort of the former status quo. However I disagree. Foundations have been laid at all Premier League clubs, not just at Tottenham Hotspur, the starting point for all teams next season has been equalised.
As a club, we have a young squad that is supremely capable, hungry, and with Champions League football looming I am certain we will strengthen further. Also with Pochettino at the helm why shouldn’t this squad continue its upward trajectory?
Our starting point for following seasons is higher than many of our competitors. So what people are apparently fearful of in that case is the speed at which other clubs will progress, catch us up and then overtake us, but how much of a reality is this?
Of all the teams, I suspect City might get it right quickest because their issues are defensive but when you consider that their whole back line needs work, this will not happen overnight. As good a manager as Pep is, I am not familiar with him being a defensive minded manager. He will need time to implement his philosophy on the club and get used to the Premier League.
City will not hit the ground running just because Pep is in charge, especially when you take into consideration the injury record of Kompany and the fact that Yaya looks a shadow of his former self. Their team require upgrades in key areas.
Man Utd meanwhile are currently a shambles. Mourinho may well come in and make them harder to beat but that team will have to change too. Mourinho didn’t want Mata at Chelsea. He is unlikely to want him at United for one. Rashford looks a good prospect but historically Mourinho has always spent big rather than promote youth. It will take time again for a new manager to get the team playing like he wants, although knowing Mourinho a season load of 1-0 wins would be ecstasy for him.
Then there’s the team from Woolwich. Caught in a quandary of hating Wenger or loving Wenger. Board versus fans. Overall spend versus Net Spend. Nothing will change. They will remain challengers to a degree, but always weighed down by their inability to compete in the Champions League and only coming alive in the Premier League once that European monkey is off their back. But if there is a change and fans get their wish for Wenger to leave, then where does that leave them?
We have already seen what has happened in Manchester after Fergie’s departure. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. Or perhaps to know your place!
[linequote]I think that we are in a better position than most to push on again next season, this doesn’t have to be our only chance[/linequote]
Liverpool? The media darlings? A squad filled with mediocrity and a team that only fires when Coutinho and Sturridge do. Klopp has his work cut out no matter how many pairs of glasses he smashes.
Then there’s Leicester. This season has been a perfect storm for them. Every individual hitting their peak at the same time and staying injury free. Repeating that will be a miracle. Do miracles happen twice in the same place?
I am here to be shot down of course, but my point is, there is work that needs to be done at every club, which is why I think that we are in a better position than most to push on again next season, this doesn’t have to be our only chance. The status quo may not ever return in fact when you consider that money, which has usually been the differentiator in the league, is now the equaliser. Look at the calibre of players being signed by up and down the division from West Ham to Stoke City, the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” has closed.
I look at this Spurs team and I see a group of players with the ability to compete with anyone in the Premier League. I don’t fear other teams or worry about taking a beating like I used to. For me that puts us in a great spot right now. As long as we can tie down Pochettino long term then I am not of the opinion that this is our one and only chance. We will be back again. That said, if we do win the league THIS season then I’m calling it a day and packing my bags. Any other season won’t matter!!
All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
5 Comments
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22/03/2016 @ 1:50 pm
Really good article. One thing to add is that with FIFA fair play in place none of the wealthy clubs can overspend on players. The other clubs also age wise are quite a bit older than our sqaud. Thus we have an advantage with an excellent young sqaud and a few new summer signings.
22/03/2016 @ 1:59 pm
Agree completely. I think it may be this year or nothing for Leicester, because one or two of their key players may be enticed away, but i feel we should be able to keep this squad together (for me the most important thing in the last two windows was not signing loads of superstars but hanging on to the ones we’ve got!)
22/03/2016 @ 2:22 pm
Totally agree with article and…hmm…I guess Pep is ‘another to bite the dust’ in PL….LOL
22/03/2016 @ 2:26 pm
It takes a season at least to build a team so I don’t expect Chelsea, Man City or Man U to get it right quickly. They will all have new managers with new ideas and new players. With every club having money and huge squads the key is to have hungry players at a united club who wear the badge with pride. Our rivals are full of foreign players who couldn’t care less and that gives our young squad a huge advantage. It’s all about creating a team and having no egos. Poch’s ‘philosophy’ is spot on and is very similar to what Fergie did at Manchester United. No wonder Sir Alex thinks he’s the best manager in the league. I hope Poch stays as he is really building something. COYS
22/03/2016 @ 11:16 pm
Interesting piece. I am very much in the why the hell can we not be up there challenging for the league again in the next 2-3 seasons, for the reasons Vass says. Pep’s Bayern are all over the place defensively and City’s recent huge spend on central defenders shows it isn’t easy to simply buy the necessary ingredients for a good defence. I feel Mourinho and Man Utd are uneasy bedfellows and even that his time has come, and thankfully, is going. That he’s a massive dick, someone who poisons the pre, in and post match experience won’t play as well at Old T as at chelsea, whom his poison fits like a glove. Poch is growing fast as a coach and lacks little against his rivals imo. I think we might just nick it this year, if not I’ll be ready for another big tilt next season.